Agent: Lee would need 'perfect fit' to pitch in 2016

Cliff Lee hasn't pitched in a big-league game since 2014 due to injury problems with his left elbow, and he may never grace a major-league mound again, according to his agent, Darek Braunecker.

"Cliff's just kind of taking it day by day really quite honestly and it's one of those things where when Cliff informed me that he was going to attempt a comeback this year, he instructed me early on to gauge the interest in the market, and from there, bring the information back to him," Braunecker said Sunday on MLB Network Radio. "This is going to have to be a situation where it's a perfect fit for Cliff. From a competitive standpoint, from a financial standpoint, from an overall opportunistic standpoint, it's going to have to be the right fit for him to pursue it."

Up to 15 teams have reportedly expressed interest in the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, who was bought out and released by the Philadelphia Phillies last March following a recurring flexor tendor issue. Once considered one of the elite starting pitchers in baseball, Lee is still chasing his dream of achieving World Series glory.

"I think there's still that fire that burns within Cliff," Braunecker added. "In particular, to win a championship. It's the one thing missing from his resume at this point ... there's been an enormous amount of interest, clubs continuing to check in on his progress."

Braunecker cautioned his client has become accustomed to a full-time dad role, and his family will play an integral part in his potential return to the mound. Lee has resumed his full offseason throwing program, and he'll decide whether or not to hold a showcase for interested clubs in the next couple weeks.

The 37-year-old boasts a 143-91 record with a 3.52 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 328 career appearances, but is really coveted for being a pressure performer in the postseason, as evidenced by his 7-3 mark with a 2.52 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 11 playoff starts.